Be Like a Servant^(A)

²⁴ ·The apostles also began to argue [^LThen an argument/dispute occurred among them] about which one of them was the ·most important [greatest]. ²⁵ But Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles ·rule [lord it] over them, and those who have authority over others like to be called ·‘friends of the people’ [‘Benefactors’]. ²⁶ But you must not be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the leader should be like the servant. ²⁷ [^LFor] Who is more important: the one ·sitting at the table [^Lreclining] or the one serving? Is it not the one ·sitting at the table [^Lreclining]? But I am like a servant among you.

²⁸ “·You [^LBut you are the ones who] have stayed with me through my ·struggles [trials]. ²⁹ Just as my Father has ·given [granted; conferred on] me a kingdom, I also ·give [grant; confer on] you a kingdom ³⁰ so you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, ·when the age to come has arrived [at the renewal of the world; ^Lin the regeneration], the Son of Man [Dan. 7:13–14] will sit on his ·great [glorious] throne. All of you who followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁴ When the other ten ·followers [disciples] heard this, they were ·angry [indignant] with the two brothers.

²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the ·Gentiles [nations] love to ·show their power [lord it] over the people. And their ·important leaders [high officials; ^Lgreat ones] love to ·use [exert] their authority [^Lover them]. ²⁶ But it ·should not be [must not be; is not to be] that way among you. [Instead, ^LBut] Whoever wants to become great among you must ·serve the rest of you like a servant [^Lbe your servant]. ²⁷ Whoever wants to become first among you must ·serve all of you like a slave [^Lbe slave of all]. ²⁸ In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people [Is. 53:12; John 11:49–50].”

⁴¹ When ·the other ten followers [^Lthe ten] heard this, they began to be ·angry [indignant] with James and John.

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of ·other nations [the Gentiles] love to ·show their power [lord it] over the people, and their ·important leaders [high officials; ^Lgreat ones] love to ·use [exert] their authority [^Lover them]. ⁴³ But it ·should not be [must not be; is not to be] that way among you. [Instead, ^LBut] Whoever wants to become great among you must ·serve the rest of you like a servant [^Lbe your servant]. ⁴⁴ Whoever wants to become the first among you must ·serve all of you like a slave [^Lbe your slave]. ⁴⁵ In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people [Is. 53:12; John 11:49–50].”